I. ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkrāt adjective
Date: 14th century
: dedicated to a sacred purpose
II. transitive verb
( -crat·ed ; -crat·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin consecratus, past participle of consecrare, from com- + sacrare to consecrate — more at sacred
Date: 14th century
1. : to induct (a person) into a permanent office with a religious rite ; especially : to ordain to the office of bishop
2.
a. : to make or declare sacred ; especially : to devote irrevocably to the worship of God by a solemn ceremony
b. : to effect the liturgical transubstantiation of (eucharistic bread and wine)
c. : to devote to a purpose with or as if with deep solemnity or dedication
3. : to make inviolable or venerable
principles consecrated by the weight of history
Synonyms: see devote
• con·se·cra·tive -ˌkrā-tiv adjective
• con·se·cra·tor -ˌkrā-tər noun
• con·se·cra·to·ry ˈkän(t)-si-krə-ˌtȯr-ē, -ˌkrā-tə-rē adjective